\'Wellgate Has Seen Changes In The Past – It\'ll Cope With Change Again’

THE news that BHS could be set to close its store in Dundee’s Wellgate Centre, has been described as a major blow for the city’s economy.

The retailer filed for administration yesterday, putting thousands of jobs at risk nationwide.

But as history shows, the Wellgate is used to reinventing itself in the face of major changes to the retail landscape.

City chiefs are confident that it will manage to achieve that again, despite a tough trading landscape.

Alison Henderson (pictured far right), the chief executive of Dundee and Angus Chamber of Commerce, believes there’s nothing that the city can’t bounce back from.

She told the Tele: “There have been many changes over the years at the Wellgate and it is continuing to evolve.”

Ms Henderson pointed out there have been plans for several years now to transform the centre with the addition of an eight-screen, 900-seat cinema — as well as new bars and restaurants.

She added: “These plans took a back seat for a while when BHS changed hands last year, but this could be an opportunity to push ahead with the proposals.

“BHS obviously occupies a very prominent position at the Wellgate and covers a lot of floor space.

“At the moment BHS has still not made it clear what the plans are and it might be some time before we get the final details about what the store is planning — but I am confident that something positive can still come out of this for the Wellgate.

“In Dundee we are good at looking at the opportunities that come our way regardless of the circumstances and this will be no exception.”

The Wellgate was opened in the late 1970s.

Over the past four decades, many shops have come and gone in the centre, but it continues to be a focal point for customers.

The most significant closures have included Woolworths, TJ Hughes, Tesco, Virgin Megastore and In Shops — many coming after the companies that owned them collapsed.

But the Wellgate has tried to reflect changing shoppers’ habits by welcoming bargain retailers like Poundland, B&M and Home Bargains to occupy its units.

Most recently, toy shop The Entertainer opened in the Wellgate to huge interest from local consumers.

Colin Loveday — the new president of the city’s chamber of commerce — said that this ebb and flow of businesses was normal for a city like Dundee.

He added: “Shops and businesses come and go and while the news about BHS is concerning for employees I am sure the centre overall will continue to thrive.”

Prominent city businessman Tim Allen said such changes were normal and has no major concerns about the Wellgate’s future. He said: “Dundee is changing. We have the V&A coming to the city and, with that, a huge influx of visitors from all over. Dundee will continue to adapt and evolve to meet growing and future demand.

“We want to be able to offer these visitors the type of retail opportunities they are looking for and I am confident we can continue to do that.”

Plans to redevelop the Wellgate were approved in September 2013.

The changes would include a refurbishment to the centre’s facade on its northern side, and involve a revamp of the Central Library.